A new alcohol policy being considered at East Zorra-Tavistock Township will aim to curb the wilder parties that sometimes take place at local facilities.

Buck and does or other large parties at the township’s community centres are the main concern, said Chief Administrative Officer Jeff Carswell.

Township councillors have asked staff to begin working on a revamped policy in the spring, which could create new requirements for events that include alcohol at township facilities. These changes could include more mandatory training for bartenders and required security for higher-risk events.

“The buck and does tend to be the ones where there’s greater risk of inappropriate activity,” Carswell said. The party organizers want to make money, and that can lead to over-indulgence and rowdy behaviour.

Police have been called to a few local buck and doe parties in the past year, Carswell said. There has been no damage to township facilities, but legal liability and a generally safer community are the main concerns.

“Having police attend something like this is preventable,” he said. “They should really be out doing other stuff. I think that’s their take on it too.

“It’s more about prevention than anything,” he added

Any changes to the township’s alcohol policy should not impact people who have already booked upcoming events, but would likely be implemented more gradually, Carswell said.

The policy will bring East Zorra-Tavistock’s rules in line with other nearby townships, Carswell said.

There is a concern that putting too many rules in place might drive away the paying customers who use the township’s halls and community centre, he added.

There may be some increase in rates due to the extra time and work staff will be required to do, Carswell added. The most significant costs for things like security would likely be the responsibility of the renter.